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Representing the 9th District of Florida

Economy

Darren believes the biggest issue facing our District and our Nation is the need for higher paying jobs. To meet these needs, Darren is working to foster strong long-term job growth by boosting existing high tech sectors in and around our District and supporting the robust tourism and agricultural industries which make up the foundation of our economy.

High Tech

Specifically, Darren supports further development of the University of Central Florida’s Simulation and Training program in East Orlando, developing the biotech industry at Medical City in Lake Nona, promoting sensors manufacturing in Kissimmee-St Cloud, the data storage and cybersecurity industry in Winter Haven, applied engineering programs at Florida Polytechnic in Polk County, and the space industry in neighboring Brevard County.

Over his legislative career, Darren has brought in millions of dollars in investments to support research and development and grow higher paying jobs right here at home.

Tourism

Visitors come from around the world to experience Florida's beautiful beaches, amazing theme parks, diverse native species, as well as our countless lakes, rivers and springs.

Darren successfully sought a seat on the Natural Resources Committee, to continue his career-long fight to protect our environment and quality of life and keep tourism going strong. He also supports the investments in airports, roads, railways, and ports infrastructure that we need to help employees get to work and visitors to their destinations.

Agriculture

Darren successfully sought a seat on the Agricultural Committee to support critical jobs for Central Florida and feed America.

He is fighting for continued funding to combat citrus greening which is hurting our groves, to advance cattle research, and to provide access to crop insurance for our emerging blueberry and peach growers.

As a member of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, Darren is working to ensure the smooth functioning of commodity exchanges, promote access to agricultural credit, and support rural development and electrification. This work benefits 9th District farmers, consumers, and our economy.

Supporting Working Families

Prosperity begins by making sure America's working families get ahead in life and can pursue the American Dream.

Finally, Darren is working to assist Florida's strong cultural and economic partner, Puerto Rico, as our neighbors work to recover from a long recession. He will work on the Subcommittees on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, and on Oversight and Investigations to ensure fair implementation of the PROMESA Act and assist our friends and family on the Island in returning to economic prosperity.

Selected bills on the economy co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:

H.R.357 - Overseas Outsourcing Accountability Act - to require the President to develop and release a comprehensive national strategy to prevent United States employers from overseas outsourcing and offshoring practices that impact the United States workforce.

H.R.255 - Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act - this bill amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to authorize the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.

H.R.24 - Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2017 - this bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to: (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.

More on Economy

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed six amendments offered by Congressman Darren Soto in the National Defense Authorization Act (HR5515), which authorizes funds and sets policy for defense-related activities for Fiscal Year 2019. Rep. Soto’s provisions will advance high-tech manufacturers in the district, equip Florida’s JROTC curriculum with cybersecurity and computer programming; and assist military members who are recovering from trauma related to sexual assault.

On Tuesday, January 16th Congressman Darren Soto visited the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA) Career Fair. The Career Fair offered the community the chance to explore employment opportunities in Central Florida's hospitality and tourism industries. While there, Rep. Soto met with CFHLA President and CEO, Rich Maladecki. President Maladecki introduced the Congressman to several coorporations and businesses in attendance, who are looking to employ Central Floridians.

At Orlando International Airport’s Terminal A, the steady stream of flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, has tapered, but hundreds of Puerto Ricans still arrive daily, in search of stability, safety, and economic opportunity in the wake of Hurricane Maria’s devastation in September.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) delivered remarks on the House Floor yesterday evening expressing his opposition to the GOP Tax Scam bill. Rep. Soto voted no on the House version of the Republican tax bill, which would raise taxes on Florida’s middle-class families.

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Representative Darren Soto spoke on the House floor yesterday calling on the “Freedom Caucus” and other fiscally-conservative Republicans to reject the tax giveaway for billionaires, which will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit in just the first 10 years. On the House Floor, Rep. Soto reiterated that 7 years of a Republican Congress has added $7 Trillion in national debt, going against the Caucus’ promise to eliminate deficit.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darren Soto announced that he will serve in a leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus Jobs for America Task Forces, a unified effort from the House Democratic Caucus to craft a real legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. The congressman will serve as co-chair for the New Economy Task Force, along with Representatives Susan DelBene (D-WA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

Last week I met with six recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from Central Florida, and as they shared their heartfelt stories one by one, I learned they all had one thing in common: a desire to pursue the American Dream.